Musical instrument



June 2, 1936; w, E R 2,043,121

MUS ICAL INSTRUMENT Filed March 4, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet l 7%. J Quefizore I v iNVENTOR BY flaj mro.

ATTO R N EY June 2, 1936.

W. J. QUEMORE MUSICAL INSTRUMENT Filed 'March 4, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 v z]. Querriore ATTORNEY WITNESS Patented June 2, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE- 1 Claim.

The invention relates to a musical instrument and more especially to a stringed instrument for musical talent testing.

The primary object of the invention is the provision of an instrument of this character, wherein through the instrumentality of a chart the musical talent of a person may be tested in that a string of the instrument can be fretted in conformity with the chart so that the user of the instrument can readily learn to play the same and at the same time the musical talent of such player can be determined.

A further object of the invention is the provision of an instrument of this character, wherein the construction of the same is novel in form so that a player of the instrument is required to control but one string and the instrument in the playing thereof simulates a violin yet it may simulate the tone of other stringed instruments and will enable a player to more readily grasp the art of playing stringed instruments and also to permit a teacher to determine the musical talent of the player.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of an instrument of this character, which is extremely simple in construction, thoroughly reliable and efficient in its purpose, readily and easily played, strong, durable, affording means whereby stringed instruments may be more easily played and is inexpensive to manufacture.

With these and other objects in View, the invention consists in the features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts as will be hereinafter more fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which disclose the preferred embodiment of the invention and pointed out in the claim hereunto appended.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an instrument constructed in accordance with the invention.

Figure 2 is a sectional view on the line 2-2 of Figure 1 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 3 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view on the line 3--3 of Figure 1 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a. modified form of chart to be employed with the instrument.

Figure 5 is a front elevation of a modified form cfinstrument.

Figure 6 is a sectional view on the line 6-6 of Figure 5 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 7 is a fragmentary sectional view on the line 1-1 of Figure 6 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views in the drawings.

Referring to the drawings in detail particularly Figures 1 to 3, inclusive, the instrument comprises an elongated substantially rectangular shaped body A having the ends 10 and II, respectively, carrying sides l2, top [3 and bottom l4 while within the body A are the spaced parallel partitions I5, these being longitudinally disposed and are united with the ends l0 and II, these being fitted with rubber feet l6 so that the body A when placed upon a stand will not mar or damage the same when being played.

The top I3 next to the end i I has formed therein the spaced holes I! and I8, respectively, while the bottom l4 next to the end III has formed therein the hole l9 and the partitions have the holes 20 and 2|, respectively, the hole 20 being near the end 10 while the hole 2| is near the end ll. Thus created interiorly of the body A is a zigzag like tone course or way 22 which is of considerable extent the holes being adapted to eliminate a dead air pocket within the body A.

Fixed in the partitions I5 is a. vertically disposed bridge peg 23 which at its inner end has contact with the bottom 14 while the outer end is extended through the hole I8 and is notched at 24 for a string 25 the latter being made secure at 26 to the end II and is susceptible of being tuned by a tuning plug or pin 21 rotatabLy fitted in the end H1 and frictionally held therein.

On the outer face of the top I3 of the body A is arranged a chart 28 which simulates piano keys 29 having indicia thereon ranging from low D to high F of a musical scale as at 30 and this chart carries the frets 3|.

In Figure 4 of the drawings there is shown a modified form of music chart wherein this chart 3| has provided thereon lines 32 and spaces 33, respectively, as well as note representations 34 and this chart may be a substitute for the chart 29 for representation on the top of the body A of the instrument.

In Figures 5 to 7 there is shown a further modification of the invention wherein the body 35 of the instrument has rising therefrom. at its rearmost portions a musical rack 36 supported upon a post 31 of a stand including the base 38.

This post at its rear is formed with a storage space in the form of a channel or groove 39 for accommodating a violin bow 40. This how 40' is removably retained in the space 39 through the 55 medium of keepers 4| which can be swung to a position to clear the bow and also to a position against stops 42 for retaining the said bow 40 within the space 39 when not in use.

It should be apparent that by the use of either instrument such as shown in Figure 1 or in Figures 5 and 6 of the drawings the musical talent of a person can be readily tested and the player is expeditiously tutored thereby for the easy playing of stringed instruments and conveniently versed in string fretting through the instrumentality of the musical chart as present with the instrument.

What is claimed is:

In a musical instrument, a hollow body of elongated formation and of uniform size in cross section throughout its length, said body having a top provided with a pair of spaced openings close to one end of the body, a tuning key rotatably fitted in the other end of the body, a plurality of perforated partitions arranged superposed with relation to each other within the body and extending crosswise of the latter, a bridge peg fixed to the bottom of the body and passing through the partition and one of the pair of openings to be exposed above the top of said body, and a string having one end adjustable on the tuning key and the other end fixed to the body at its end next to said pair of openings and bridged by said peg.

WILLIAM J. QUEMORE. 

